Welcome to Better Know An Umpire, an effort to educate ourselves on the human elements who have ultimate decision-making power over some 2,500 Major League Baseball games a year. (All cumulative statistics are through the 2011 season, unless otherwise stated.)

Claim to fame: For his complete and utter denial to accept that MLB had accepted his resignation in 1999, part of a failed move for leverage by the umpire's union. "I don't accept them accepting my resignation," he said. "I plan on being here tomorrow. I'll be here for the game." Nauert did not umpire another game until 2002.

Nauert's K/BB keeps growing. ... He unquestionably has one of the largest strike zones in the majors. ... Nauert possesses the virtue of patience. His career ejection rate is only 1.3 percent, less than two-thirds the norm.